Timer control mechanism for longitudinally shiftable member



March 29, 1960 H. MCDOWELL TIMER CONTROL MECHANISM FOR LONGITUDINALLY SHIFTABLE MEMBER Filed D60. 6, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 mmvroa. 1719/2 M 17010911 1 March 29, 1960 H MCDOWELL TIMER CONTROL MECHANISM FOR LONGITUDINALLY SHIFTABLE MEMBER Filed Dec. 6, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 31 vuexwtoo Ezzgl licliowell:

March 29, 1960 H McDOWELL TIMER CONTROL MECHANISM FOR LONGITUDINALLY SHIFTABLE MEMBER 3 a. a 1 5 w 1 4 w 2 Z 17 1 v Z 9 Filed Dec. 6, 1954 Ila. K C 1 162a 16 /V INVENTOR.

March 29, 1960 H M DOWELL 2,930,239

TIMER CONTROL MECHANISM FOR LONGITUDINALLY SHIFTABLE MEMBER Filed Dec. 6, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

United States CONTROL MECHANISM FOR LONGITU- DINALLY SHIF TABLE MEMBER TIMER This invention relates to a control device adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a valve interposed in the fuel line to a conventional control valve which serves as a control means for a top burner on a gas cooking stove. The control device is intended to provide a means for automatically timing 3. period during which gas will be permitted to flow through the associated valve to the conventional control valve on the gas cooking stove in order to terminate the flow of gas to the top burner after a predetermined interval of time. This application is a continuation-in-part application of application Serial No. 348,150 filed April 13, 1953, now abandoned.

While automatic timer controls have been provided for the ovens and broilers of gas cooking stoves, the problem of providing a compact control device for controlling the flow of gas to a top burner of a cooking stove has not been readily solved until the appearance of the control device of my invention upon the market.

A primary object of my invention is the provision of a control device for a cooking stove top burner which is designed to be associated with an auxiliary valve interposed between the top burner control valve and the source of gaseous fuel and which is so designedthat when it is energized to open the auxiliary valve to a first position the flow of gas to the main valve controlling the top burner will be unrestricted so that the main valve controlling the top burner may be utilized in a conventional manner.

Another object of my inventionis the provision of a control device of the aforementioned character which is provided witha timer and which is so constructed that when the timer is energized the auxiliary valve which the control device is associated is moved into a second, open position which permits fiow to the main valve of the top burner for a period of time whose duration is governed by the setting of the timer.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a control device of the aforementioned character which permits the auxiliary valve to move into a third, closed position in which the flow of gas to the main valve of the top burner is automatically terminated when the time for which the timer incorporated in the control device has been set expires.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a control device of the aforementioned character wherein there is embodied an opener constituted by push button means mounted upon an elongated push rod and said push rod is engageable with the normally closed auxiliary valve and adapted to cause the movement of said valve between said second and third positions, and wherein the push rod and its associated push button is also movable between first, second, and third positions by the action of spring means tending to bias said auxiliary valve toward said third position.

Another object of' my invention is the provision of a control device of the aforementioned character wherein said first and second retainer means are incorporated in said control device for maintaining the aforesaid push rod,

respectively, in the first and second open positions to cormeat Patented Mar. 29, 1960 "ice 2 respondingly maintain the auxiliary valve in said first and second positions.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a control device of the aforementioned character which incorporates timer means constituted by a clock mechanism and a control handle for energizing the clock mechanism, the control device incorporating release means associatcd with first and second retainer means and the release means being energizable simultaneously with the energization of the timer means to move the first retainer out of engagement with the aforesaid push rod and to permit the second retainer to move into engagement with the aforesaid push rod, thus permitting movement of the push rod from the first to second open positions and permitting the movement of the auxiliary valve from the first open to the second open timed position.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a control device of the aforementioned character wherein the sequential operation of the various components of the control device is not necessary since, if manual control of the top burner by the main valve is desired, the push button means incorporated in the control device need merely be depressed and the top burner will function under the control of the main valve in the ordinary fashion. However, if it is desired to convert to automatic, timed control, it is merely necessary to rotate the control handle of the timer incorporated in the control device, which as previously indicated above, causes the automatic movement of the auxiliary valve into the second, timed position and thus immediately converts the top burner from manual to automatic operation. Upon the termination of the interval for which the timer has been set, the timer will de-energize the control device to permit the movement of the auxiliary valve into the third, closed position wherein no gas will flow to the-main valve of the top burner and thus to extinguish the flame issuing from the top burner. The movement of the auxiliary valve into the third, closed position places the control device in condition for renewed sequence of operation;

Another advantage of the construction of the control device of my invention lies in the provision of a timer which includes a bell signalling device which automatically indicates the cessation of the period for which the control device has been set on automatic control so that when theperiod of time has terminated the housewife or other person who has set the control device will know that the cooking period has terminated.

t A further object of my invention is the provision of a control device of the aforementioned character wherein the timer and the bell signal incorporated therein can be utilized independently of the valve control means therefor and thus the timer and signal device of the control device can serve an independent function as a timing device for other purposes than controlling the duration of a particular cooking cycle.

Another advantage of the deviceof my invention is the fact that the cooking time can be set prior to the initiation of gas fiow. Therefore, when the device is energized, the push button and rod will be immediately disposed in the second open poistion.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings which are for the purpose of illus tration only and in which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view showing the control device of my invention applied to the gas supply manifold of a conventional gasjcooking stove in conjunction with the conventional main valve for a top burner, not shown;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the control device of my invention mounted on the auxiliary valve which it is intended to control;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the broken asserts 3 line 3 3 of Fig. 2 and showing the parts of the control device and the auxiliary valve disposed in inoperative condition;

' Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the broken showing the push rod of the control device and the auxiliary valve disposed in the first manual open position;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the push rod of the control device and the auxiliary valve disposed in the second, automatic position;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figs. 7 and 8 and showing the push rod and the associated auxiliary valve disposed in the third, closed, inoperative positions;

Fig. 10 shows the mounting construction for the control device; 7

Fig. 11 is a vertical, sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the control device of my invention;

Fig. 12 is a vertical, sectional view taken on the broken line 12 --12 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged, fragmentary view similar to Fig. 12 but showing the component parts of the timing mechanism set for automatic operation;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary, rear elevational view showing the first retainer in operative engagement with the push rod of the control device;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14 and showing the second retainer operatively engaged upon the push rod of the control device;

Fig. 16 is a side elevational view showing the push rod and the associated auxiliary valve disposed in the first, open position;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the disposition of the push rod with relationship to the first and second retainers when the push rod is disposed in the third, inactive closed position;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the engagement of the first retainer on the push rod with the push rod disposed'in the first open position; and

Fig. 19 shows the second retainer engaged upon the pushrod with the push rod disposed in the second op'en posltion.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1-2 thereof, I show a portion of conventional fuel gas manifold A incorporated in a gas cooking stove, not shown. Installed in the manifold A is a conventional main valve B which is mounted on the manifold A by the usual inlet tapered threaded boss 3. However, in the present instance, the main valve B is not directly connected to the fuel gas manifold A and the tapered threaded boss 3 does not establish fluid communication between the main valve B and the manifold A serving merely to mechanically mount the main valve B on said'manifold.

The body of the main valve B is provided with a laterally extending integral boss 4 which is bored to provide an inlet port to the interior of the body of the main valve B and which is connected by means of a tubing to an auxiliary poppet valve C. The end of the main valve B is provided with the usual orifice jet 6 constituting the discharge end of the main control valve B into a conventional top burner incorporated in the gas cooking stove, not shown.

The auxiliary poppet valve C is incorporated-in a body 7 andis provided with a laterally extending boss 3 in fiuid engagement with the end of the tubing 5 so that gaseous fuelmay be fed from the auxiliary valve 4 C to the main valve B, in a manner to be described in greater'detail below.

The auxiliary valve C is, as best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, provided with a threaded tapered boss 9 on the underside thereof engageable with a correspondingly threaded bore in the wall of the manifold A to place the auxiliary valve C in fluid communication with the interior of said manifold. It is, therefore, readily apparent that the only source of gaseous fuel for the main valve B is through the auxiliary valve C since the main valve B is connected to the gas manifold A only through the auxiliary valve C.

An alternative embodiment of the poppet valve C is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings as provided with an additional outlet boss 8a to permit a tube to be connected at that side of the body 7 of the auxiliary valve. The body 7 is thus provided with a plurality of laterally extending bosses for convenience in installation 'and one of these bosses is left undrilled to prevent the passage of gas therethrough. However, if desired, both bosses can be drilled and tubing connected thereto to permit the auxiliary valve to be utilized in controlling a plurality of different burners, either simultaneously or alternately.

A control device D, constructed in accordance with the teachings of my invention, is mounted on the auxiliary valve C and includes a housing drum 11, a rotatable timer dial 112 having a portion thereof located within the perip'zery of said housing drum 11, and a push button actuator 13 for controlling the energization of'said control device. The dial 12, as will be hereinafter indicated, is designed to serve as a control handle, as a bell, and as a dust cover for the mechanism incorporated in the control device D.

The auxiliary valve body 7 is, as best shown in Fig. 3, provided with a poppet valve seat 14 and has a longitudinally extending threaded bore 15 for the reception of a threaded plug 16 which serves as a seat for a valve spring 17 which biases a poppet valve 18 into closed position on the valve seat 14. Although the poppet valve 18 may be formed of any suitable material, it is shown as being formed of silicon rubber and incorporated in a recess provided in the annular back-up shell 18a. The assembly of poppet valve 18 and shell 18:: is'st'aked to a valve stem 19 which is reciprocable in an elongated bore 29 provided in the forward end of the valve body 7.

The outer end of the valve body 7 is provided with an elongated cylindrical projection 22 which is bored, as at 21, to define an elongated-recess into which the end of the valve stem 19 projects. Adrive pin 23, as best shown in Fig. l of the drawings, extends through the wall of the recess 21 and is provided with a reduced inner end which lies within said recess. Secured to the rear wall of the housing drum 11, as best shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, is a cylindrically formed tubular projection 24'which is longitudinally slotted to define four forks d which are slightly spread to cause a frictional fit of the projection 24 within the'recess 21 in the outer end of the auxiliary valve body 7. The uppermost slot in the tubular projection24engages the-drive pin 23 and, more particularly, the reduced lower end thereof to prevent rotation of the control device D upon the valve body C.

The frictional engagement-between the outer end of the auxiliary valve. body 7 and the'control device D renders said device instantly disenga'geable from the valve body 7 by a manual pull-of about tenpounds and the fact that the tubular projection 24 engages the bottom of the recess 21, as best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, places the end of the valve stem 19 in its proper spatial relationship with respect to the various components of the control unit D.

A timer mechanism 10 is'encompassed in the dial member 12 and includes a centrally located arbor 25, as-best shown .in:Fig. 3 of. thedrawings, said. arbor. being provided with an axial bore for the reception of a recip-- rocable push rod 26. The push rod 26 is provided intermediate its end with a reduced portion 27 juxtaposed to a frusto-conical portion 28 and the innermost end of said push rod is located in contiguity to the outermost end of the valve stem 19, as best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

I Mounted on the outer extremity of the arbor 25 is an adapter 12a, best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings,

which is secured to a central, depressed portion of the bell dial 12 by means of a plurality of screws 29. Since the arbor adapter 12a is fixed on the outermost extremity of the arbor 25 against relative rotation with respect to said arbor, rotation of the dial 12 will cause concomitant rotation of the arbor 25 and energization of the timer mechanism 10, for a purpose to be described in greater detail below.

. The timer mechanism 10, as bestshown in Fig. 3fof the drawings, includes a main spring which is connected at one end to the frame of the timer and at its other end to the arbor 25. Adjacent the main spring a is a centrally located driving gear b to which the main spring a imparts rotational torque through the usual slip clutch and from said gear through a set of wheels to a conventional escapement and balance for gradual time release as is commonly known in timer mechanisms.

- Supported on a mounting plate incorporated in the frame of the timer mechanism is a pair of retainers constituted by oppositely disposed leaves 30 and 31 which are located on opposite sides of the conical portion 28 of the push rod 26 and are commonly mounted on a pivot pin 32. A compression spring 33 is interposed between the upper ends of the first and second retainers 30 and 31 and serves to urge said retainers toward the periphery of the push rod 26 and, more particularly, toward the conical portion 28 provided intermediate the ends thereof. Interposed between the lower extremities of the first and second retainers 30 and 31 is a release means constituted by an elongated pin 34 incorporated in the bell ringing mechanism of the timer 10, as best shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6. Secured to the opposite end of the pin 34 is a bellcrank 35 which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a pivot pin 36 and which, on one extremity, supports a bell striker 37 enegageable with the interior of the bell dial member 12 to signal the expiration of the time for which the timing mechanism has been set. A bell cocking lever 38 is mounted on the end of the arbor 25 adjacent the pin 34 which also constitutes the release means for the first and second retainers 30 and 31.

When the timing mechanism is not energized, the component parts thereof are disposed in the positions shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. However, when the timing mechanism is energized by the rotation of the dial 12 to cause the concomitant rotation of the arbor 25, the bell cocking lever 38 will be simultaneously rotated into engagement with the pin 34 to urge said pin into the position shown by the dash line c in Fig. 4

of the drawings simultaneously with the movement of the bell striker 37 into the dash line position shown in the same figure. When the time for which the timing mechanism has been set has expired and the lever 38 releases the pin 34, a tension spring 39 engaging the bellcrank 35 drives the bell striker 37 against the interior of the bell dial 12 to cause a signal to be emitted therefrom. Simultaneously the pin 34 moves to the origline to permit the utilization of the pin as a release means for the first and second retainers 30 and 31.

As best shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, the first and second retainers 30 and 31 are disposed on opposite sides of the projecting end of the pin 34.and the conical portion 28 of the push rod 26. The compression spring 33 constantly biases the first and second retainers 30 and 31 toward each other and thus into engagement with the periphery of the push rod 26 and the release pin 34. When the timer mechanism is deenergi'zed, the release pin 34 is, as best shown in Fig.5 of the drawings, disposed in an uppermost position wherein it engages the lowermost end of the second' retainer 31 to maintain the edge of said retainer out of engagement with the periphery of the intermediate, reduced portion 27 of the push rod 26 and the surface of said retainer out of engagement with the shoulder defined by the base of the conical portion 28 adjacent. said reduced portion 27.

The shoulder defined at the juxtaposition of the reduced portion 27 and the frusto-conical portion 28 thus serves as detent means engageable by either the first or second retainers 30 and 31. Furthermore, when the timer mechanism is de-e'nergized, the release pin 34 is located in a first, uppermost position closest to the push rod 26.

In addition, the mechanical arrangement of the timer mechanism is such that the path of movement of the release pin 34 is in a substantially straight line below the push rod 26. When the timer mechanism is deenergized, the location of the release pin 34 in the first, uppermost position is accomplished by the fact that the bellcrank 35 has not been'shifted by the action of the lever 38 into its cocked position and the release pin 34 thus is engaged with the second retainer 31 to maintain said second retainer, as best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, out of engagement with the periphery of the push rod 26 while permitting engagement of the first retainer with said push rod.

However, when the timer mechanism is energized, the rotation of the arbor 25 causes concomitant rotation of the lever 38 simultaneously cocking the bellcrank 35 and moving the release pin 34 downwardly, as best shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, to the second lowermost position. When so moved, the release pin 34 releases the second retainer 31 and engages the first retainer 30. By engaging the first retainer 30, said first retainer is moved out of engagement with the periphery of the push rod 26 and inward movement of the second retainer 31 into engagement with the periphery of said push rod is accomplished under urging of the spring 33.

The spatial relationship between the first and second retainers 30 and 31 is responsible for the successive engagement of said retainers with the periphery of the push rod 26, since, as best illustrated in Figs. 5, 6,7, 8, and 9 of the drawings, the first and second retainers 3t and 31 are disposed in superimposed relationship upon a common pivot pin 32. Therefore, the first retainer 30 is disposed inwardly of the second retainer 31 and when the first retainer 30 is disengaged from operative relationship with the periphery of the push rod 26 previously described, there is time'for the second retainer 31 to move into engagement with the periphery of the push rod 26 as the push rod 26 is moved outwardly by the action of the compression spring 17 on the poppet valve 18.

When the energization of the timing mechanism 10 by rotation of the dial 12 is accomplished, the valve 18 is moved from its first, open position into its second, opened position, as best shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, and-the valve 18 will be retained in its second, opened position to permit a full flow of gas until the time forwhich the timing mechanism incorporated in the control device D has been set has expired. 7

After the expiration of the time for which the timing mechanism of the control device D has been set has expired, the lever 38 is rotated into the original position shown in Fig. 4 permitting the tension spring 39 attached to the bellcrank 35 to cause the bell striker to strike the interior wall of the bell dial 12 and to emit a signal indicating the termination of the cooking period. Simultaneously, the release pin 34 removes from the second, lowermost position shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings to the first, uppermost position shown in Fig. of the drawings, thus once again engaging the second retainer 31 and moving said second retainer out of engagement with the periphery of the push rod 26 to permit said push rod to be urged outwardly by the action of the compression spring 17 into the third, outermost position wherein the valve 18 is permitted to move into the third, closed posi tion.

When so located, as best shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the push button 13 is moved outwardly to the extreme limits of the centrally located recess provided in the dial 12.

The utilization and operation of the control device D may take place in any desired sequence, but let it be assumed that the initial installation of the control device D is about to take place prior to the energization of the auxiliary valve C thereby. The control device D may be installed upon the valve body 7 by grasping the drum housing 11 and inserting the tubular, forked projection 24 thereupon into the recess 21 in the valve body 7 and pushing the projection 24 inwardly so that the drive pin 23 is straddled by any one of the forked members d. When the projection 24 bottoms in the recess 21, optimum working relationship between the valve 18 and the push rod 26 of the control device D is established. The resistance of the slightly expanded forked projection 24 to entry into the recess 21 establishes a frictional fit that prevents all but forcible detachment of the control unit D from operative association with the valve body 7 and the control unit D is maintained in upright position by the engagement of the pin 23 with the uppermost slot in the projection 24.

The valve 18 is normally disposed in the third, closed position wherein it engages the valve seat 14. In this position, as best shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the conical portion 28 of the push rod 26 lies behind the retainers 30 and 31 and the push button 13 is disposed in its extreme outward position.

If it is desired to utilize the top burner of the cooking stove, not shown, in conventional fashion, by manipulation of the main valve B, the push button 13 is pushed inwardly and the conical portion 28 of the push rod 26 engages the adjacent edge of the first retainer 30 since the second retainer 31 is maintained in inoperative position due to the fact that the release pin 34 is in its first, uppermost position, as best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, wherein it engages the lower extremity of the second retainer 31.

Continued inward movement of the push rod 26 causes the first retainer 30 to ride over the base of the conical portion 28 of said push rod into engagement with the intermediate, reduced portion 27 thereof and to impinge on the shoulder defined between said reduced, intermediate portion 27 and the conical portion 28. The action of the compression spring 17 on the valve 18, as transmitted through the valve stem 19, urges the aforementioned shoulder into continuous engagement with the first retainer 30.

When the .valve 18 is disposed in the first, open position shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, the push rod is moved to the fullest extent to the left and the push button 13 is completely depressed in the centrally located recess in the dial 12. When so located, the valve 18 is maintained indefinitely in the first, open position and manual operation of the main valve B can be accomplished in the ordinary manner since fuel gas is simply bypassed through the auxiliary valve C to the main valve B.

However, if it should be desired to automatically control the period of time during which a cooking operationtakes place, the dial 12 of the control unit D is rotated to cause concomitant rotation of the arbor 25 and the lever 38 mounted thereupon. The rotation of the arbor 25 winds the spring a which upon unwinding initiates rotation of the drive gear b. Simultaneously with therotation of the arbor 25, rotation of the cooking lever 38 of the timer mechanism 10, as best shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, occurs, urging the release pin 34 downwardly into the second, lowermost position, as best shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. Downward movement of the release pin 34 in this manner causes the pin to engage the lower extremity of the first retainer 30, moving said retainer outwardly out of engagement with the periphery of the push rod 26 while permitting simultaneous inward movement of the second retainer 31 into engagement with said periphery to locate the push rod 26 and the valve 18, whose position is controlled thereby, in a second open position. The valve 18 will be maintained in the second, open position during the energization of the timer mechanism.

When the period of time for which the timer mechanism has been set expires, the arbor 25 has rotated into its original position and the tension spring 39 causes the lever 35 to rotate to permit the release pin to be moved into its original, uppermost position. When this occurs, the release pin 34 engages the lower extremity of the second retainer 31 moving it out of engagement with the periphery of the push rod 26 and simultaneously permitting inward movement of the first retainer 30. How-' ever, the intermediate portion 27 of the push rod 26 is now completely disengaged and the compressive effect of the valve spring 17 causes the valve to engage the valve seat 14 and to move into the third, closed position, thus returning the push rod 26 by movement of the valve'stem' 19 and the push rod button into the third, inoperative,- neutral position.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 11-19 of the drawings, those portions of the alternative embodiment which are identical or substantially similar to corresponding portions of the previously disclosed embodiment being designated by identical reference symbols.

In the alternative embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 11-19 of the drawings, the auxiliary valve C is of identical construction with that of the previously discussed auxiliary valve C, and the control device D is substantially identical in construction, and mode of operation, with certain significant changes in the retainer means for the push rod and the release means associated: therewith and, furthermore, the portions of the timer mechanism associated with said release means.

The timer mechanism 40, as best shown in Figs. 11-13 of the drawings, includes a bell striker 59 which is adapted to be driven against the interior of the bell 12 to signal the termination of a timing period, in a manner to be described in greater detail below. A dial cover 12 formed of plastic, or similar material, is mounted in spaced relation with the bell 12. The bell striker 50 is mounted on a pivotally supported arm 51, said arm having a laterally extending lug 52 which is enga'geable by the upper portion of a cocking lever 54. The mole ing lever 54 is energizable by a tension spring 55 and is supported intermediate its ends on an elongated pivot pin 56 which rotates concomitantly with the rotation of the cocking :lever 54.

Mounted as a portion of the timer mechanism 40 and rotatable with and by the arbor 25 of said mechanism is a camming lever 58 and an associated cam 60. When the timer mechanism 48, as best shown in Fig. 12, is deenergized, the bell striker 50 lies in relatively close com g tiguity'to the interior wall of the bell '12 and the cocking lever .54 is disposed in substantially vertical position.

Conversely, when the arbor 25 is rotated by the rotation of the cover 12', rotation of the cam lever 58 and the associated cam 60 takes place to urge the lower end of the cocking lever 54 outwardly into the position shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings against the tension of the spring 55 and to draw the bell striker 50 and the arm 51 upon which it is mounted downwardly. Of course, when rotation of the cooking lever 54 takes place, concomitant rotation of the pin 56 upon which it is mounted also takes place.

The opposite end of the pin extends through an opening 64 in a mounting plate 62 constituting a part of the timer mechanism 40 and has mounted thereupon a retatable release means constituted by a rotatable lever 68. It is, therefore, readily apparent that when the timer mechanism 48 is de-energized and the cocking lever 54 incorporated therein disposed in the substantially vertical position of Fig. 12, the release lever 68 will be disposed in the position shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings. On the other hand, when the timing mechanism 40 is energized, the rotation of the cocking lever 54 and the concomitant rotation of the pin associated therewith will cause simultaneous rotation of the release lever 68 into the position shown in Fig. 15 of the drawings.

In other words, when the timer is de-energized, the release lever 68 is disposed in a first position and when the timer mechanism 40 is energized the release lever 68 is moved into a second position.

I First and second retainers 70 and 72 constituted by elongated leaf members are pivotally supported for rotation upon the mounting plate 62 by means of pivot pins 74 and 76. Leaf springs 78 and 80 are mounted on the pivot pins 74 and 76, respectively, and respectively engage the first and second retainers 70 and 72 to urge the inner sides thereof into sliding contact with the contiguous surface of the mounting plate 62. A compressionspring 82 is interposed between the ends of the first and second retainers 70 and 72 adjacent their points of pivotal suspension and serves to bias the upper ends of the retainers 70 and 72 inwardly toward each other and toward the periphery of the push rod 26 which extends through an opening in the mounting plate 62.

The upper ends of the first and second retainers 70 timer mechanism is discussed in detail below. The

operation of the control device D is substantially similar to the operation of the previously discussed embodiment of said device since, when the push button 13 is disposed in the outermost position shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings, the poppet valve 18 will rest on its associated seat 14 and automatic or manual control of the flow of gas to the top burner, not shown, will be prevented.

When the control device D has not been activated and the valve 18 disposed in its third, inoperative position, the frustoconical portion 28 on the push rod 26 is located in the position shown in Figs. 11 and 17 of the drawings wherein the first retainer. 70 engages the side of the frusto-conical portion 28.

When the control device D is disposed in inoperative condition, the first retainer 70 engages the periphery of the frusto-conical segment 28 on the push rod 26 because the tongue 90 of the rotatable release lever 68 engages the second retainer 72 to maintain the second retainer out of engagement with the periphery of the push rod 26 and'th'us permits the first retainer 70 to impinge on When it is desired to initiate the flow of gas to the manual control valve B, the push button 13 is'depressed and the frusto-conical portion 28 of the push rod ridesover the retainer 70 until the first retainer 70 snaps behind the shoulder defined by thefrusto-conical portion 28 and the reduced portion 27 of the push rod 26. When so located, the push rod moves the valve 18 into the first open position and the valve 18 will be maintained thereby indefinitely so that the fiow of gas to the manual control valve B is permitted.

However, when automatic operation of the top burner is desired, the dial 12 of the control device D is rotated. The rotation of the dial 12 causes the winding of the main spring a and the initiation of rotation of the main gear b in addition to causing the rotation of the arbor 25 and the cam lever 58 and cam .60, pre-.

viously described. The rotation of the cam lever 58 causes the rotation of the cocking lever 54 to cock the bell striker 50 and causes the simultaneous rotation of the pin 56 which moves the release lever 68 from the position shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings into the position shown in Fig. 15 of the drawings.

Movement of the release lever 68 in this manner. causes the first retainer to be disengaged from operative.

relationship ./ith the aforementioned shoulder on the push rod 26 and releases the second retainer 72 to permit it to engage the aforesaid shoulder. When such engagement of the aforesaid shoulder occurs, as best shown in Fig. 19, the valve 18 is disposed in its second open posi-. tion for a period of time equivalent to that for which the timing mechanism 40 has been set by the rotation of the original, first position shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings.

and disengages the second retainer 72 from the shoulder on the push rod 26, thus permitting the valve spring 17 to urge the valve 18 inwardly and concomitantly urge the push rod 26 and its associated push button 13 into the third inoperative position. The control device is, therefore, restored to the condition shown in Figs. 11, 12, and 14 of the drawings wherein it is ready for a new cycle of operation and wherein flow of gas to the top burner is prevented. I

I thus provide by my invention a control device for a reciprocating member such as a valve which is characterized by simplicity of construction, ease of installation, and simplicity of operation. Furthermore, the control device of my invention can serve the dual function of controlling the top burner with which it is associated automatically and, also, of serving as a timing mechanism for other household tasks.

I I claim as my invention: 1. In a control for a member having closing means connected thereto, the combination of: a housing; a timer insaid housing; an opener for moving said member into a first open position, said opener including a push rod having a detent shoulder thereupon; a first retainer engageable with said opener for maintaining said member in said first open position, said first retainer being constituted by a pivotally mounted lever disposed at one side of said push rod and said detent shoulder; a release energizable by and simultaneously with said timer for dislodging said first retainer and permitting said closing means to move said opener and saidmember into a second open position, said release being constitutedby pivotally mounted lever disposed adjacent said first retainer lever and adapted to engage said first retainer lever to dislodge it from engagement with said detent shoulder on said push rod when said timer is energized; and a second retainer for maintaining said opener and saidmember in said second open position movable by said. release upon de-energization of said timer to permit said closing means to move said member into closed position, said second retainer being constituted by a lever engageable with said detent and mounted on the other side of said release lever, said second retainer being movable by initial energization of said timer into engagement with said detent shoulder and being movable out of engagement with said detent shoulder by said release lever upon de-energization of said timer.

'2. In a control for a member having closing means connected thereto, the combination of: a housing; a timer in said housing; a rotatable time setting dial mounted on said housing; a gear train connected to said time setting dial; push button means located centrally of said dial for moving said member into a first open position; a first retainer engageable with said push button means for maintaining said member in said first open position, said retainer being constituted by a first lever mounted for pivotal movement in said housing; a release energizable by and simultaneously with said gear train for dislodging said first retainer and permitting said closing means to move said push button means and said member into a second open position, said release being constituted by a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said first retainer; and a second retainer for maintaining said push button means and said member in said second open position movable by said release upon de-energizaiton of said timer to permit said closing means to move said member into closed position, said second retainer being constituted by a second lever pivotally mounted within said housing on the other side of said release lever.

3. In a control mechanism for a member having closing means connected thereto, the combination of: an opener for moving said member into a first open position, said opener being. constituted by an elongated push rod having a push button mounted upon the outer extremity thereof; a first retainer for maintaining said member in said first open position, said first retainer being constituted by a first lever pivotally mounted adjacent said push rod for engagement therewith; a release for said first retainer for permitting said closing means to move said member to a second open position, said release being constituted by a pivotally mounted lever having one side disposed adjacent said first retainer lever; and a second retainer for holding said member in said second open position, said release being energizable to dislodge said second retainer and permit said closing means to close said member, said second retainer being constituted by a second lever pivotally mounted on the other side of said release lever.

4. In a control for a member having closing means operable thereupon, the combination of: a housing; a timer mounted in said housing, said timer including a rotatable dial; a gear train within said housing connected to said rotatable dial; a push button having a longitudinally movable push rod located in said housing and centrally of said dial, said push rod having detent means thereupon; a first retainer engageable with said detent means for holding said push rod in a first position, said first retainer being constituted by a first lever pivotally mounted within said housing; a second retainer engage able with said detent means for holding said push rod in a second position, said second retainer being constituted by a second lever pivotally mounted within said housing, said first and second levers being urged toward each other by a spring disposed between the opposite extremities thereof and into engagement with the periphery of said push rod; and release means energizable by the energizetion and de-energization of said timer for successively releasing said first and second retainers to permit said clos-;- ing means to move said member through said first and:

second positions into a third position, said release means being constituted by a third lever operatively connected to said gear train and interposed between said first and second levers.

5. In a control for a member having closing means operable thereupon, the combination of: a housing; a timer mounted in said housing; a release operable by initial energization of said timer operatively connected to said timer and mounted in said housing; a push button having a longitudinally movable push rod located in said housing, said push rod having detent means thereupon; a rotatable dial on said housing for energizing said timer;

a first retainer mounted for movement in said housing adjacent said release and engageable with said detent means for holding said push rod in a first position; and

a second retainer mounted in said housing adjacent said release and engageable with said detent means for holding said push rod in a second position after said release has de-energized said first retainer from said push rod, said first and second retainers being constituted by a pair of leaves disposed on opposite sides of said push rod and said release and successively engageable therewith.

6. In a control for a movable member, the combination of: a housing; a timer in said housing; a button actu ated push rod extending through said timer and having detent means thereupon; means for energizing said timer on the exterior of said housing; retainer means in said housing engageable with said detent means, said retainer means including a first movable leaf mounted on one side of said rod in said housing and engageable with said detent means and a second movable leaf mounted on the other side of said rod in said housing and having a portion displaced inwardly from said first leaf and engage able with said detent means after the release thereof by said first leaf; a spring for moving said leaves toward the axis of said push rod and into engagement with said detent means; and a release in said housing disposed between the ends of said leaves connected to and movable by said timer between a first position in which it permits to engage said detent means.

7. In an automatic control energizable by a timer, the combination of: a push rod having detent means thereupon; a mounting plate having an opening therein through which said detent means is moved by said push rod; a first retainer mounted on said plate for movement into engagement with said detent means, said first retainer having a surface engageable by said detent means; a second retainer mounted on said plate for movement into engagement with said detent means, said second retainer having a surface engageable by said detent means and said second retainer being thinner in cross section than said first retainer to dispose its detent means energizing surface inwardly of said surface on said first retainer; means biasing said detent means into successive engagement with said retainers; and release means connected to said timer and movable thereby upon the energization thereof to release said first retainer from and to permit said second retainer to engage said detent means.

8. In a control for a movable member, the combination of: a housing; a timer in said housing, said timer in cluding a gear train, spring means energizable by said gear train, and a rotatable release shaft operatively connected to said gear train; a rotatable dial mounted on said housing and adapted to energize said gear train and wind said spring of said timer to cause initial rotation of said release shaft; a push rod mounted centrally of said housing and said rotatable dial and extending through said housing in parallelism with said release shaft, said push rod having detent means thereupon; a release lever mounted on the release shaft for rotation thereby; a first retainer lever rotatably mounted in said housing adjacent said release lever and engageable with said detent on said push rod; and a second retainer lever'rotatably mounted in said housing adjacent said push rod for engagement with said detent thereupon, said first and second retainer levers having spring means interposed between the extremities thereof urging them inwardly into engagement with said detent on said push rod. I

i eierences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Porter Mar. 15, 1910 Bartikowski Dec. 27, 1932- Harmon May 15, 1934 Hammell Dec. 12, 1939 Johnson Dec. 13, 1949 Kaefer et a1 Mar. 20, 1951 McDowell Jan. 27, 1953 

